The Gist Healthcare Podcast

A federal judge rules that the abrupt cancellation of National Institutes of Health research grants was illegal and likely discriminatory. A new report finds there may be an additional 16,000 preventable deaths related to proposed cuts to Medicaid. And, a recent cyberattack on a healthcare vendor exposes the private health data of more than five million people. Those stories on today’s episode of the Gist Healthcare podcast.  

The Senate’s take on the One Big Beautiful Bill includes bigger cuts to Medicaid, compared to the House’s version. Iowa becomes the latest state to implement stronger restrictions on pharmacy benefit managers. And, 23andme’s former-CEO will now become the buyer of the bankrupt biotech company. Those stories and more coming up on today’s episode of the Gist Healthcare podcast.  

One of the biggest shows so far this year is the critically acclaimed medical drama The Pitt, which stars Noah Wyle of ER fame. The HBO Max series has been called one of the most accurate descriptions of an emergency department. On today’s episode of the Gist Healthcare podcast, host J. Carlisle Larsen is joined by Sylvia Owusu-Ansah, MD, who served as a medical consultant for the show and contributed storylines. She’s an associate professor of pediatrics and emergency medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and the director of EMS at UPMC Children’s Hospital Pittsburgh. 

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. names new members to a CDC vaccine advisory panel days after he removed existing members. UnitedHealth Group’s credit rating is downgraded. And, states sue bankrupt DNA testing company 23andme to protect consumers’ genetic data. Those stories coming up on today’s episode of the Gist Healthcare podcast.  

All 17 experts have been fired from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s independent vaccine panel. A new poll finds that the recent One Big Beautiful Bill Act--and its cuts to Medicaid--is raising concerns among voters.  And, digital chronic condition management company Omada Health has had the second splashy digital health IPO in the last month. Those stories and more coming up on today’s episode of the Gist Healthcare podcast.  

The House of Representatives passed a budget reconciliation bill around Memorial Day that extends tax cuts put into place during President Trumps first term in office, as well as increases border and military spending. However, the bill also includes significant federal healthcare spending cuts, notably in the joint federal-state Medicaid program.   Michael McAuliff covers policy and politics in Washington D.C. for Modern Healthcare. He joins the podcast to talk more about the bill.  

Staffers laid off from the Department of Health and Human Services this spring are suing the Trump Administration and are seeking class action status. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention contradicts HHS’s recent recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines for children.  And, the annual cost of insuring a family tops $35 thousand. Those stories and more coming up on today’s episode of the Gist Healthcare podcast.  

The Trump Administration releases more a detailed proposed budget for the Department of Health and Human Services for the 2026 fiscal year, including significant cuts to agencies within the department. The FDA rolls out a new artificial intelligence tool. And, hospitals spent billions of dollars to ensure workplace safety in 2023. Those stories and more coming up on today’s episode of the Gist Healthcare podcast.  

The Department of Health and Human Services cancels Moderna’s multi-million-dollar award to develop an mRNA vaccine for influenza, including bird flu. CVS and Express Scripts sue Arkansas over state law restricting pharmacy benefit managers. And, a new study from Mass General Brigham finds that traditional diagnostic tools outperformed generative AI. Those stories coming up on today's episode of the Gist Healthcare podcast.